Tkunk



. o. R. LUDWIG FOLDING TRUNK Filed March 25, 1927 3 sheets-sheet H1 RIMINI www ATTORNEY Dec. 25, 1928. Y 1,696,853

` o. R. LUDWIG FOLDlNG TRUNK Filed March 25, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 25, 1928.

O. R. LUDWIG FOLDI NG TRUNK Filed March 25, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 0.]3. ada/gy I INVENTOR TTORNEY Patented Dec, 25,1928.'

UNITED STATES OTTO R. LUDWIG, OF

GARVIN, *MINNESOTA FOLDING TRUNK.

`| Application led March 25,

My present invention has reference to a folding carrier for automobiles, commonly Areferred to as a t`runk.` 4

4An object is the'provision of a carrier ot' 5 this type which may bepartly housed in the rear ofthe body of an automobile; or fixed d-irectly to part of the body, and which is of a construction whereby ,the same may be arranged to provide a small and a large compartment or two compartments, one

comparatively narrow and the other comparatively large, and further wherein the outer compartment may be folded snuglyv against the inner lcompartment when the Vcarrier is not vdesired for use, the outer compartment of the carrier having thereon a spare tire 'carrier of a particular, peculiar and novel construction, the same being swingably and slidably associated -`iwith the device soas to be moved out of the way or under the trunk or carrier when access to the compartments,v therein is desired.

A. further object is to improve the construction of folding 4carriers upon which I was granted U. S. Letters PatentNo. 1,571,- 850, on Feb. 3,1926. To the attainment of the foregoing and' other objects which will present themselves as the nature of the .invention is Abetter understood, the improvement also resides in certain other novel features of construction7 combination and `operative association of parts, one satisfactoryv embodiment of which is disclosed by the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the im# `provement. A i w Figure 2 Iis a sectional view on the line.

2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is. a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 2. y Figure 4 is an approximately central longitudinalsectional view vshowing the device 1n its fully expanded condition.

, Figure 5 is a similar sectional view showing ,the outer compartment open and the spare tire rack slid beneath the bottom .of the improvement.'

Figure 6 is a detail sectional View approximately on the line `6--6 of Figure 4.

' Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the spare tire carrier, with parts in section.

Figure 8 'isa detail sectional view'on the line 8-#8 of Figure 2.-

1927. Serial No. 178,360.

In the/showing of the drawings, the back of an automobile, to'whieh the improvement is attached, isdisclosed by the dotted'lines andis indicated by the numeral 1. It is to be noted by reference to Figure 5 of the drawings, that the improvement is positioned 'directly above` the gasolinetank 2 for the automobile, but it will bek noted that as thedescription progresses that I provide means for replenishing the supply of gasoline to .the tank without interfering with my improvement in its position relative to sai-d tank. The improvement comprises .a substantiallyrectangular portion 3 whose rear wall, in the showing of the drawings,"

is directly connected tothe'backl ot the automobile body. 'The Asubstantially rec-` tangular porton''lias its back wall arranged at an inclination 'and topopen. This open top, however'g-is designed to be closed by a lhinged cover', the same being preferablyarched infcross section. Hinged to the outer edges ofthe trunk member, as indicated by `the numeral 5, there are wings 6. Each wing is in the nature of a metal plate vand theouter edge thereof is 4cut angularly. The'wing is thus of substantially triangular .formation and hinged to the outer and lower edge of each of the said wings, as at 7, there is theangle edgeof a second Wing or plate 8. Thev upper edge ofv the plate 8 is cut at the same inclination as is the upper edgeof the. plate or wing l9, but the outer edge of the plate 8 is straight, the corner between the straight and angle edges being rounded. Hinged to the outer edge at the bottom of the member 3, as at 9., and likewise hinged to the normally lower and straight edges of theiwings 8, as at 10, there is a plate 11, and hinged, as at 12, to the outer ledge of the plate `11 there is a shorter is formed with an 'inwardly directel' rounded li-p 15.

. A transverse brace 16 is provided at the under face and at the outer edge of the bottom of th'ccompartment 3, and a similarly arranged brace 16 is arranged at the outer l orhinged end of the plate 11. These braces, of course, are employedfor reinforcing the elements to whichthey are connected.

Hinged,'as at 17, to the upper corners of the compartment 3 there is a combined cover and division plate 18. This plate has its sidesfianged, vas at 19. `Vhen the device is in a position illustrated by Figure 4 ofthe plate 13.- This plate at its outer edge,

drawings, the plate 18 is swung over the wings 6 and 8, the flanges 19 contacting with the outer walls of the said wings.-

Also when in this position the plate 13 is swung against the outer straight edges of the wings 8. The plate 17 is sustained 1n this position in a manner as will be hereinafter described. VVhe'n. the parts are thus larranged the trunk provides' a lsingle and comparatively wide compartment. When the parts are in the position illustrated rn Figure 5 of the drawings the plate 18 1s swung between the wings 6 and 8 and align with the outer edge of the. compartment 3. As the construction is wholly of metal the wings (3 and 8 may be slightly bulged to permit ot' the flanges 19 of the platev 18 being moved between the wings and the pressure 'exerted by the flanges 19 against the sides of the compartment 3 will hold .the plate 18 properly positioned to close said compartment. This provides the device with the inner comparatively narrow compartment and an outer *and widened compartment. In this position it is to be seen that the plate 13 is swung into longitudinal alignment with the plate 11, and the plate 13 is held insuch position by contacting engagement thereof directly with lugs or enlargements -formed on spaced bars 20 that are fixedly secured to the outer face of the plate 11 and extend beyond the hinged edge thereof.

The lower or bottom wall of the compa-rtment 3 of the trunk or carrier has an open ing therethrough that is arrangedv directly opposite the filler spout for the tank 2, and this opening is normally closed by a swingablel plate 21 that is pivoted, as at 22, to the said bottom wall of the compartment 3. The swingable vclosure plate 21 is provided with an upstanding lug 23 that affords a finger hold.

The bars 20 on the outer ends thereot'are provided each with an angle lug 24, the said lugs having aligning openings for trunnions 25 on the ends of a preferably tubular member 26. Movable through openings in-the tubular member 26 there is a pair of rods 27. These rods have their ends secured in offset lugs or brackets 28 that are fixed to the disc body 29 of the spare tire carrier. The

' disc 29, at rightangular points has angularly arranged elongated openings 30 therethrough for the reception of Shanks of headed bolts 32, the said boltshaving shouldered portions 33 that contact with the outer face of the vdisc and hold the bolts on the disc and permit of the .said bolts sliding through the slots 30 in the said disc. pass through openings in the disc wheel of a spare tire carrying wheel 34, or between the spokes of an-ordinary tire'carryingwheel, adjustable means 35 being screwed on the outerA end of the bolts for holding the wheel on the disc.

These bolts i Hinged, as at 3G, to one edge of the disc 29, there is a strap 37. The strap from its hinged end is centrally cut-away or slotted for a suitable distance, as at`39,'and Xed on the disc and passing through the said slot 39 there is a curved finger 4() that merges into a lipped end 4l.

Fixed on the outer face of the plate 11,

rcferably at the center thereof, and ad- `racent to its hinge 9 there is an angle member or hook 42.` On the inner 'face of the disc 29 there is a socket member 43. The beak of thehook 42 is designed to be received in this socket when the disc is swung on its hinge connection with the member 26 and moved bodily, through the medium et' the rods 27. that pass through the openngsin the said mcmberQG, in a line with the outer face of the plate 11. Thus when the device is set up to provide an inner closed'compartment 3 and an outer open compartment the tire carrier and the spare wheel connected therewith are arranged in a position that will not interfere with access being obtained to either of said compartments. A suitablelatching means may be provided for holding the disc 29 in this position.

The rounded outer edge of the' combined cover 'and division plate 18 has an opening therethrough for the reception ofA a bolt member 44 and this bolt member is designed to be passed through an opening in the `disc 29 land to be engaged by a nut 45 when the device is set up to provide a single conipartment, as disclosed by Figure 4 'of the drawings. Obviously when in this position the disc 29 is swung upon the member 26'andv slid to bring the opening -therein opposite the bolt 44. Arranged `around the bolt and` contacting witlrthe saidv rounded portion of the plate 18 and the inner face of 'the disc there is a sleeve 46 that holds the disc properly spaced with respect to the trunk Also when in this position the strap 37 .is

swung and has its outer edge engaged by a removable and adjustable element 47 carried by the top 4 of the compartment 3. By this arrangement it will be seen that the trunk Yor carrier is sustained in a fully closed condition and the cover plates there- .y

for are in tight contact with the sides an edges of the trunk proper.

Whenthe device is to be arranged-inithe -position illustrated by Figure 2 of the drawings the wings 6 and 8 ar'eolded inwardly on their hinges 7, and the plate 11is folded upon its hinges 10 against the folded .wings 6 and 8. The plate 13 is swung to bring its 'lipped end 15 to receive through the opening therein the element 47 andthe finger 40 is alsomoved to bring its 'lip-41. to-receive through the opening therein lthe said element 47. As disclosed by the drawings the lelement 47 is in the nature of a bolt which isengaged-by a nut, and when the parts' are arranged as above described and as disclosed by Figure 2 of the drawings,

the trunk will (be folded and closed and the tire carrying disc 29 will be arranged out- I a box-likel member having an open front and an open top and also having .an openning at the bottomV thereof, a cover plate for the last mentioned opening, a hinged cover for the top, side members hinged to the outer edges ofthe sides of the box, each of said sides comprising two members having angle confronting edgesy whichV are hingedly connected at` said sides susceptible' to inward swinging, a plate hingedly secured to the outer lower edge of the box and sides, a comparativelyA short lip lcarrying plate hingedly secured 'to the outer edge -of the last mentioned plate, a flanged com-l bined cover and partition plate hingedly secured to the top of the box, and swingable over the sides and'engageable with the lip of the last mentioned plate when so swung and likewise swingable between the sides and means for locking the combined cover and partition plate to the lip of thelast mentioned plate for closing the box-likemember when the sides there/rifare extended.

2. -In a device for the purpose set forth, a box-like member having an open front and an open top, a hinged cover for the top, side members hingedly secured to the outer edges ofthe box, each-of said sides comprising two members having angle confronting edges 'which are hingedly connected to permit of the inward folding of the sides loweredge of the sides, a comparatively short platehaving an outer lipped end and having its inner end hingedly secured to the outer edge of the first mentioned plate, a flanged combined cover and partition plate hinged" to the top of the box, swingable over the sides and engageable with the lip of the comparatively short plate when in covering position and likewise swingable between the -sides 'to providea partition between the box and the sides, a-disc slidably and swingably associated with the first mentioned bottom plate, a strap member hingedly securedto the disc and designed to be swung overv the cover plate when these plates are arranged over the sides, and means forlatchingthe strap to the cover for the box.

3. In a device for the purpose set forth,

.a box-like member having an open top and an open front, -a hinged closure for the top, side members hingedly .secured to the outer edges of the sides of the box, said sides, each comprising two members having angle confronting edges which-are hingedly connected to permit of the inward folding of the said sides, a plate hingedly secured to the lower outer edge of the box and to the lower edges of the sides a bar fixed on the outer face of said plate, a plate hingedly secured to the outer edge of the last mentioned plate and resting on the .bar when swung to align with said last' mentioned plate, a revoluble element pivotally connected to the bar, rods slidable through said element,. a disc on which the rods are fixed, a socket on the disc, a hook on the first mentioned lower plate to be` receivedV in the-socket `when theldiscis in y one position, a finger on the disc, a pivoted strap also on the disc, said disc having radial openings, bolts adjustably secured in saidopenings, adapted to provide securing means for a spare tire, all as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

against the box, a plate hingedly secured to the lower edge of the box and to the OTTO R. LUDWIG. 

